Switch coh-stetjctlolf



May 1 0 1927. 1.28,496

H. W. FAUST SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 2l.4 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /O V By Attorney May 10,1927. 1,628,496

H. W. FAUST SWTCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 21. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2 I n verdor Attorney Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES HARRY W. FAUST, 4OIE(urIBfEIlNVILLE, OHIO.

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

Application led December 21, 1925.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric switches for use upon motor vehicles.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a switch which provides a unitary structure for controlling the lighting of the several lights on an automobile as well as actuating the horn.

Another salient object ofthe present inln vention is to provide a switch which is of such construction as to enable the same to be ready and easily attached on the steering post of an automobile, directly below the steering wheel so that the operator may have ready -accesszthereto for actuating the saine without necessarily having to remove his hands from the steering wheel` A further object is to provide a switch construction which willat all times` be positive and efficient in its operation, the same being further simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further'well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

vOther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following descriptiontalren in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designated'like parts throughou the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the switch embodying my invention showing the manner in which the same is disposed with respect tothe steering wheel.

Figure 2 is a sectionali'viewthrough the casing, showing the switch structure in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the switch andh the attaching bracket associated therewit Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the base plate of the switch showing the location of the various binding posts.

Figure 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the contacts carried by the bascof the switclra'nd'also illustrating the construction` of the lever.

Figure 6 is a detailperspective view of the substantially U-shape'd lever retention mem` ber.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the lever, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the position of the lever with re- Serial No. 76696.

'suitable manner. An arcuate shaped slotr 4 is formed in the top of the' casing adjacent the forward end thereof;v andthe purpose thereof will hereinafter be more fully described.` Arelatively large.. opening 5 is formed in the b'ot'tor'n'3 in the central portion thereof, and therear end1 of the casingis cut awa'y as illustrated lat 6` with reference more particularly to Figure 2 ofthe drawings.

The switchV further includes a substantially rectangular shaped base plate of any suitable metal, thefsame'being' designated by the numeral 7 and being of'such size as to be adapted to be disposed within the casing. Extending rearwardly from'the rear edge of the .rectangular metallic base plate 7 is the armt, the same being twisted as at 9, and being adapted to'extend through the cut out portion 6V provided thereforin therea'r 'end of the'casing.` 'The'.outer endof this arm is curved' to provide a'bracket 10'-which encircles the steering column of alnautomebile and 'a suitable adjusting bolt 11 is associated with the free end'of the'arm,'and the intermediatefor twisted portion Qthereof whereby the bracket may be adjusted to adapt the same to fit onusteering posts or columns of various sizesllThe arm .8 is also somewhat inclined' downwardly so that the casing 2 will be disposed directlyf below the steering wheel A within easy access of the operator of the vehicle.

A piece of insulation indicated at 12, and beingof the same shape as the rectangular shaped metallic base" plate 7 is secured on the upper acethereof and `as is more clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings. this insulated plate 12 increased gradually in thickness toward the rear edge thereof.

A main contact post extends upwardly through the metallic base 7 and the insulated plate 12 in the central-portions thereof and is preferably disposed adjacent the rear edges of the same. Ahead 14 is formed on the upper end ofthis post, the lower end thereof being threaded and providing a binding post for attaching one end of the wide which extends from the amineter on the instrument board of the'vehicle to t-his post. Theiusual lock Vnuts are threaded on the lower end o the post 14 for securing one end of the ammeter wire 16 thereto. It. is of coursi,l to be understood suitable insulation is provided for keeping thepost 13 out of engagement with theinetalhc base 7, as is indicated at 17.

Einbeddedin the central portion ot the insulated plate lrz'iand.` arranged forwardly of the main eon'tactp'ost 13 are vthe contacts 18 and 1 9 respectirelyhthe saine being disposed on'op'posite sides of 1the post, as is more clearly illustrated-in Figure 3., The binding post for theselastmentioned contacts cxteiid 'tlnough the metallic base 7 and are indicated `at. 20 and 9.1 respectively. T hcseibindin'g 'posts are alsoinsulated from the metallic hase i n a manner 'siinilar to which the main contact post 13 is insulated. The contact 1S and fits bindingf post 2O are provided for controlling the bright headlights'fof the automobile, -the wiring therefor beingconlricctd-togthe lower end of the? lpost- .by the tusual nuts. The' op'posedconta'ct 19 i's provided for controlling th'e lighting 'of the' dini lights on Atlre autoinobilefan'd the wiring therefor' is connectedto 'the' lowen end of the binding wear plate`22 ofiiietal isfeinoedded in the upper face ofthein plated plate 12 and disposed directly fowa'rtxlly .of the main contact post andbetween theheadlight controlling contacts and .19'.respectiaely, in the nia'nner'as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. .The purpose of-this wea'r plate willbe apparent-:during the further descriptionof the intentionA l A`pairl f'tail'light -controlling contacts 2p' and-2st respectirjely are secured Yonthe insulated plate adjacentthe respectixje sideedges thereof, and'tlie'sc last mentioned contacts are further so arranged as to be disposed 'in :coope-r'ntgi'iie relation ..with .res'pe'et'to the eonta ct s"18'-ald lllljepectively lclh 0f the tail' light Scent-telling' *Centts comprises' i ofl inet-ifil liar-ing one of' its side edges disposed upwardly as at the upper.)ortionsofthe i'i'pwardly di;- PQSefl sides bnis" bsiit :litfcl'lnllyas '.ut 2G' t0 provide a ledge', thenceldispo'seduup- 'wardly as at 2 7. This const iiition is more clearly illustrated .in 'Figuife Spf -the drawing, and the .purpose ,'of'this Vp: rrt'icular construct-ion will also'hereinaftfer b e more fulljr described. 'Iflie bindin postffor the ,tail light contio lli i i r 'contacts are ilhistrfzi`-te'tl at 2g, the saine (intending ,throught-lie base 7 an'd the .insulated plate 1Q, and being' further insulateldfiroin 1theineftallic base :as lit-'29T .The iire'-lfdii1e fiii'thtzil liebtis shown at 30, .and same secured to thelower`-end o f one the Contact. posts in 'Figure '4.

2S by the. usualClaniping nuts. wii'e 32 connects the other post 28 of vthe opposed tail light controlling contact with the wire 30 in the manner as more clearly illustrated A contactnfor controlling the closing of the Circuit to the electric horn (not shown) mounted onthe .automobile is indicated :it 32, the same being embedded in the upper face of vthe insulation 12, and being" arranged adjacent the forward edgethereof directly forwardly of the main cont-act post 13 and the wear plate 22. The binding post 2li-3 of the contact 32 extends downwardly through the metallic base 7 and is insulated therefroinas :it 34. The \\'i1' elea,tli.r1gffiom the horn is Connected to the lower end of this binding post by the clamping' nut' 35, the wire being illust-rated at 36.

A projection 37 extends upwardly from the rear end -of the metallic base 7 at the intermediate portion thereof. A spot light controlling contact 3S is disposed adjacent the front face of the projection and is insulated therefrom as'clearly shown at 39. The bindingposts Ll0 provided for the contact *3S extends through the insulation and through the projection 3 7 and the end of the wire which leads' from lthe spot light. is attached to the rearend of the binding post and held thereon by means of `the clamping nut l. The wire leadinvr .from the spot light to this contact is inlieated :it 42. l

' The switch further includes the lever 43 which is foiined ounetalythe sarnebeing provided in vthe rear end portion thereof with the openings 44 and t5 respectively.

These openings are arranged nrgcornmunlfcation with eachother vthrolugli ,thevx'nedum of the restricted passage 46,' and this .con-

struction is .more clearlyfillustrated in .Eig-

ure '7 of' the drawing.4 The binding ,post

13 portion of the lever, )ylierebyvsaidlever will b e adapted for pivot-a1movement across the upper .face of the insulated late' 12. A substantially-conical sha d ,eeife 47 slidable on the post 13, and isadapted Vfor cooperation with either of .the openings 44 or 45, it beingr understood of course hat the edges o f these openings are also-beyeled to coaet with the lbeveled peripheral edge of the sleeve. A coil springAS encircles the post 13 and is disposed between the h ead lf't'formed on the upper end ofthe post, and the upper face of the conical sleeve st7 for normally urging the same downwardly and holding the same into .frictional engagement with either of the openings Aformed in thc rear cud portion of the lever.

The purpose of providing the leyer -with pair of interconnected openings in the manner as above described, is fo provide is adapted -t-o extend,throughl *the slotted i a .means for permitting the sliding movement of the lever so that the rear end thereof may be brought into or out of cooperative relation with respect to the contact 38.

Carried by the bottom of the .intermediate portion of the lever 43 is the` Contact 49. This contact is so arranged as to be disposed in cooperative relation with respect to the Contacts 18 and 19, as well as the wear plate 22 in the manner to be presentlyvdescrlbed. An additional contact 50. is secured to the under side of the lever 43 adjacent the forward free end thereof-and the same is in the form of a spring strip of metal, the ends of whichl are disposed downwardly and outwardly, and is more clearly illustrated in Figure 8. The last mentioned contact is adapted for cooperation with the contacts 23 and 24 respectively as well-as withv tl/1er contact 32. l.

The contacts 49 and 50are so arranged as to normally hold thespring contact1-5O-out of engagement with the contact 32 so. that normallythe circuit to the ,hornis broken.

The contact 49 is further adapted to provide a fulcrum tovpermit thefdownward-swinging movement of v the forward' end ofthe lever 43 when the actuating knob 51 whichfextends upwardly` from the .forward `end .oflthe 'lever is` depressed asiwill also begvpresently ap,- parent.

, A, *l a,

The knob 51 which vprovides a. means for actuating the leven. 43 iextends upwardly through the opening 4 provided therefor-.in

i the forward portion ofA the top .of the casing 2, and -is further-adapted-tobaheldout. of engagement with the metallic A,casing through the medium oi the insulated-memben 52 whichissecured to .the Aunder side-of' the top of, the casing,as is' more c learlysshown in Figure 2. The casing mayjfurthermore be lined with insulationas illustrated at 453.

For-thepurpose ofi holding the leverin any desired adjusted position, there ,isg-provided a substantially U-shaped member, 54,V

the same being formed .of ,ai strip 4of spring metalfthe free. ends of the arms areA bent back upon themselves and are flattened as indicated at' 55. and the flattened free' ends of the arms aresecured to theA insulated plate 12 adjacent the rear edge-.thereof through the medium of the securing bolts 56 which extend through the base plate and the` -insulated plate thereon, andalso through, suitable openings 57 provided therefor inthe flattened ends' of the respeiv arms of the U-shaped member.A

By bending thevfree ends of'. thearmsin the manner as shown Aand above described, the U-shaped member will be disposed above the insulated plate 12 in spaced relation thereto and also as is more clearly shown in Figure (i, the crown portion 58-of the U- shaped member is provided with the bent portions 59 which are adapted .forcooperation with the lug 60 arranged on the upper face of the forward portion of the lever 43 to provide a ratchet mechanism whereby the lever will be lie-ld in its desired adjusted position against accidental swinging movement. .Due to the resiliency of theU-shaped member, the same will at all times be urged into engagement with the lug (iO-so that-the ratchet mechanism will at all times be positive and efficient in-.carrying out the purposes -for which it is designed. Y 1

The operation of my improved switch maybe briefly stated follows: Normally, the lever 43 is disposedl in linewitlr the .posts 13, and the upstan'ding lug or projectionS'? :formed at the' rearend'of. tl1e`base. late 7, and the Alever is .furthernioresdispose i' in .its forwardmost position so that the' conical `sleeve`47- arranged on the` post 13-will beseated in the opening 44 ormedin'the'frearmost .end of the leverwherebyfthef rear end-@of the lever-is outV of engagementgwith.thecontact 38. The contact 49 which isicarried. by the bottom o f the intermediatev portion fof the lever. -will restonf'tlie'I-.wear plate22 and fthe-.spring finger-rformin'gdthe- :Contactf 50 is disposed' above-theicontact 32; in. spaced relation thereto.,- 1 f Should; it become ecessa'ry. ifor-the: operator; ofthe vehicle tocactuatei the .horny in orfder;t.0. give an` audible lsignal," it -ison'ly necessary. =0rt-he:operator to jdepressA the button or-. knob =5-1 :whereupon theql forward end' :of the""lever.f43lrvill fb'e downwardly.: so that the contact is brought into Pengagement witht the. contactx 32thereby- 'closing' ,fthe circuit .to the :horn-l 'a'nd'soundingfthe same'. As soon-as pressure iseleasedfrom the knob 51, the coil spring .48 will 'returngthe-:leveri43 to f its normal position' .-sol thatathe contactf .50 is' brought 'out of aengagementwith-thecontact- 32 'and'the #circuit -to'g-th horn -.-is. then blOleIk i "fifi-155:2 if. :.I .-lrhen-*itz'is esiredtoa-turn on-,ztl'iedim lightsaofg-the automobile, thel .ope-rator'moves the lever,` 43 :to thef right; whereby.. the contact 49 is moved Vacross the v-vupper-fface ofthe insulation j12 and into engagement-with the contact 19', thus closing fthel circuit tothe dim. lights. AAt.:the1same time, the projecting? end of the contact 50 willbe-brought-.into engagement withV thefupstandingV side wall 25 of the-contact as to effect'the' closing of the circuit to thetail-slight.V ..The lugs will 'cooperate fwith- -one of-.th'e bends formed in the U-sha d member 54 forholding ther-lever inisu`c positionagainst accidental movement. -A

Should it become necessary to use thespot light while the dim lightsa-reiturned on, it is only-necessary for the. operator of the vehicle` to slide. the lever 43-rcarwardly so that the conical sleeve 47 .willf be moved out of engagementrwith the opening'44 and is brought into engagement fwith the openingT minated.

45and therearcnd of the 'lever will then be brought into engagement with the spot light controlling contact 38 thus causing the circuit to saidlights.

In order that the bright lightsI ot the automobile may be turned on, the lever 43 is swung to the left so that the contact 49 will be hrmwht into engagement with the contact 18, thus closing the circuit to the bright lights. Simultaneously, the other end of the contact 50 which projects beyond the side of-thelever 43 will engage the side wall25v of 'the tail 'light controlling contact 23,-wliereb thetail light will be also illult will thus be seen that when either the d im or `brightlights are turned on, the tail light will 'be simultaneously illuminated.

-The' spot light-may bealso illuminated c when'thebright 'lights lare turned on by actuating'the lever '43 in the Same manner as heretofore described7 whereby when in its farthest 'left hand position, the lever may be :moved rearwardly so that the rear end thereof Will engage the contact 38.

Itis of coms-e to be amderstood that when either of the headlightcontr'ollin'g contacts are in cooperative engagement' with thecontact 49 of-the lever"43;2'the circuit to 'the horn may-also' be'eompleted by merely tilting the knob of theleverA so thatjthe' end of the contact 50=which is fn'ot in engagement with the*tail lightfconta'et Amay be brought into engagement :with 'the horn A'controlling contact 32;- i'

ToA facilitate -the turning on-of the tail light without necessarily turning on either the dim'. or =bright, headlights,v preferably when an automobileis parked,A the forward end of the lever 43 is'fslightly raised vupward- 1y againstthe -tensi'on` :of fthe coil spring 48, and also against' the tension offthe U-'shaped member 54. The forward end. of theflever is suiciently raised so as to enableeither end of the spring 'contact ofcarried' by the forward '-end portion f fthet lever 43 to engage vand rest upon the :ledge or shoulder 26 formed on :each of the tail light controlling contacts, and atv thesame time, the contact 49 will held out of 'engagement with either of the contacts 18 and 19,- depending upon the 'tion in wh-ich'the lever is disposed. en the parts are arranged as shown :more clearly in FigurefS of the draw ings, only the circuit to the tail light will be closed.

It will thus be seenfrom the 4oregoin description, that a switch has been provideil which may be readily and :easily attached on an automobile in such a manner as to be within easy access of the operator, and further so arranged as to obviate the necessity of the operator of the vehicle having to remove his handsfrom the steering wheel in order to actuate the switch. Furthermore,

a switch of the abovc,character will provide a unit-ary structure wherein a single switch lever is provided for controlling six separate circuits, and the simplicity in which the switch is actuated, renders the same very eflicient in its use.

The compactnes's of my improved switch enable: the same to be manufactured at a very low cost and furthermore will present a neat appearance when attached on the steering column ofan automobile.

lVhile l have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it iste be understood that minor changes in the size. shape and arrax'xgement of pcrtsmiay bc resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inz-'cution and the sone of the vappended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new-isz 1. A switch comprising a base, a -main contact post, a pair of headlight controlling contacts on the base, a pair of tail light controlling contacts on the ybase adjacent the respective headlight i controlling contacts, a spot light controlling .contact on'the base directly rearwardly of the main post, afhorn cont-rolling contact on the base arranged forwardly of the contact* 'ost -andbetvveen the aforementioned ftail ight controlling contacts, adever pivoted at 'its rear -er'idon the post, said lever adapted to connect the adjacentl pairs of'headlights and tail light controlling contacts when" swung on its pivot, the lever being further adapted for slidable movement 'whereby the rear end thereof is brought into engagement with the spot lightcontrol-linr contact, a 'contact cai'- ried by'the forward end ofthe lever'a'nd adapted to engage the horn controlling' contact when the forward end ot-.he lever is depressed, and means 'for normally'ho'lding the last m'entio'nedfcontact out o'fengagement with the horn controllinflr contact.

2. 'A switch comprising a base, a main contact Afpost, a' pai-r of headlight controlling contacts on the base, a pair ofa tail light -controlling contacts on the base arranged-for wardly and adjacent the respective headlight controlling contact, a lever pivoted at its'in'ner end on the post, a contact onthe underside of the intermediate portion of said lever for engagement with either of theheadlight contro ing'contacts, an additional contact carried by the lever adapted to engage either of the tail light controlling contacts whenthe first mentioned contact carried by the lever is in engagement with the adjacent headlight controlling contact, said lever being further adapted for tiltable movement on said post whereby the Contact carried by the intermediate portion of the lever is disengaged from either of the headlight controlling contacts, and means for maintaining the -other contact on les said lever in engagement with the adjacent tail light controlling contact.

3. A switch comprising a base, a main contact post, a pair of headlight controlling contacts on the base, a pair ofD tail light controlling contacts on the base arranged forwardly and adjacent the respective headlight controlling Contact, a lever pivoted at its inner end on the post, a Contact on the under side of the intermediate portion of said lever adapted for engagement with either of the headlight controlling contacts, each of said tail light controlling contacts comprising a flat plate secured on the base, one side edge thereof being bent upwardly and thence laterally to provide a ledge, an additional Contact carried by the lever and adapted to engage either of the tail light controlling contacts when the rst mentioned contact carried bythe lever is in engagement with the adjacent headlight controlling contact, said additional contact comprising a spring strip of metal, the

Youter end portion thereof being disposed downwardly and outwardly, said lever being further adapted for tiltable movement on the post whereby the contact carried by the intermediate portion of the lever 1s disengaged from either of the headlight controlling contacts, and the outwardly disposed end of the spring strip forming thev additional contact carried by the lever and adapted to rest on said ledge of the adjacent tail light controlling contact.

4. A switch comprising a base, a main contact post, a pair of headlight controlling.

contacts on the base, a pair of tail light controlling contacts on the base arranged forwardly and adjacent the respective headlight controlling contact, a lever pivot-ed at its inner end on the post, a contact on the under side of lthe intermediate portion of said lever adapted for engagement with either of the headlight controlling contacts, each of said tail light controlling contacts comprising a flat plate secured on the base, one side edge thereof being bent upwardly and thence laterally to provide a ledge, an additional contact carried by the lever and adapted to engage either of the tail light controlling contacts when the first mentioned Contact carried by the lever is in engagement with the adjacent headlight controlling contact, said additional contact comprising a spring strip of metal, the outer end portion thereof being disposed down- Wardly and outwardly, said lever being further adapted for tiltable movement on the post whereby the contact carried by the intermediate portion of the lever is disengaged from either of the headlight controlling contacts, and the outwardly disposed end of the spring strip forming the additional contact carried by the lever being adapted to rest on said ledge of the adjacent tail light controlling contact, and means for holding the lever in its adjusted position.

5. A switch comprising a base, a said contact post, a pair of headlight controlling contacts on the base, a pair of tail light controlling contacts on the base arranged forwardly and adjacent the respective headlight controlling contact, a lever pivoted at its inner end on the post, a contact on the under side of the intermediate portion of said lever adapted for engagement with either of the headlight controlling contacts, each of said tail light controlling contacts comprising a flat plate secured on the base, one side edge thereof being bent upwardly and thence laterally to provide a ledge, an additional contact carried by the lever and adapted to engage either of the tail light controlling contacts when the first mentioned contact carried by the lever is in engagement" with the adjacent headlight controlling jcontact, lsaid additional contact comprising a spring strip of metal, the outer end portion thereof being disposed downwardly and outwardly, said lever being further adapted for tiltable movement on the post whereby the contact carried by the intermediate portion of the lever is disengaged from either of the headlight controlling contacts, and-the outwardly disposed end of the spring strip forming the additional contact carried by the lever being ada ted to rest on saidv ledge of the adjacent tail li ht controlling contact, and means for hol ing the lever in its adjusted position, said means comprising a substantially U-shaped member formed of a strip of spring metal, the freel ends of the arms'jthereof being bent backwardly upon themselves and secured to the rear portion of the base, the crown portion of said U-shaped member having bent portions formed therein, and a lug carried by the forward portion of the lever adapted to coactA with said bent portions.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

HARRY W. FAUST. 

